Chapter Eighty-Three: Wan’er’s Union

Suddenly, I realized something troubling—disappearing along with Wang Ying’s soul was the Chicken-Blood Stone’s Wangtian Roar. The thought chilled me to the bone. Could Wang Ying have been taken away by that beast? I searched everywhere but couldn’t find the stone carving of the Wangtian Roar. Remembering how ferocious it was in the cave, I felt utterly drained. If it truly had come alive, there’d be no hope left for Wang Ying. How foolish I was, treating the Wangtian Roar as a mere plaything and giving it to her!

But then again, it seemed unlikely. If the Wangtian Roar had truly revived, Wang Ying’s body wouldn’t have remained so perfectly preserved. And if it was only her soul, surely a beast like that wouldn’t have the power to control her.

Whatever the truth, I knew I had to return to that cave tomorrow and search thoroughly. Even the faintest glimmer of hope, I could not abandon. That night, I barely slept. Each time I awoke, I checked Wang Ying’s corpse, touching her still, icy body.

In a daze, I would drift back to sleep, only to rise and check again. How desperately I wished she would suddenly sit up with a cheerful smile, even if she was part human, part ghost. But disappointment outstripped hope—by dawn, Wang Ying’s soul had not returned.

I sought out Wei Qi and explained the situation. He packed his Cloud Wand into his car and drove us straight to northern Jiangsu. By noon, we reached the remote mountain valley, and entered the cave. Regrettably, despite turning the place upside down and scouring it several times, we found no trace of the Wangtian Roar.

My last hope was dashed, leaving me in utter despair. A soul lost for so long was likely gone forever, scattered into nothingness.

“Dachuan, you should consider making arrangements,” Wei Qi said, gazing at Wang Ying’s body on the bed. “I’m worried her corpse won’t hold out much longer.”

He was right. In this sweltering weather, once someone passes, the body quickly begins to decompose. It had already been over a day and night. If she stayed here much longer, it would be unbearable.

“Uncle Qi, could I borrow your freezer? I can’t bear to bury her just yet.” My heart ached at the thought of sealing Wang Ying in ice once more.

“No problem, I’ll bring it over soon. I wasn’t using it anyway.” Wei Qi patted my shoulder in comfort before heading home to prepare the freezer.

Left alone, I sat in silent grief, watching Wang Ying’s motionless form as tears streamed down my face. Scenes from our brief time together replayed in my mind—joy, sweetness, playful mischief, tenderness—all of it brought to an abrupt end.

“Boss, I have an idea, if you’re willing to hear it?” Just as I was lost in despair, Shangguan Wan’er appeared before me.

“Go ahead.”

“Don’t keep her in the freezer. A woman’s body can’t endure such treatment. Here’s what I suggest—open the coffin with Brother Qi, and take out the Blood Amber. With it, her body can be perfectly preserved.”

Her thoughtfulness moved me deeply. But if I took out the Blood Amber, what would become of her body? It would start to rot within days. I shook my head. “Wan’er, that’s not right. Your body would deteriorate.”

She smiled gently. “Just take my body out as well. I can possess it again—just like before. Feed me your blood as you did with her. Your blood keeps my flesh from decaying.”

I was stunned by how quickly her thinking had changed. Last time, when I suggested keeping her body above ground like Wang Ying’s, she refused, insisting she wanted to rest beside Ziyi in the tomb. Now she had changed her mind.

“You’re not staying with Ziyi anymore?”

“If not with him, who else? But his soul is gone. I want to take my body out, become whole, so it’s easier to search for him. He’s long passed on, but if I have a body, I stand a better chance. Drifting about as a ghost is just not practical, don’t you agree?” she explained.

She made sense. A physical body really would help in her search for Ziyi’s reincarnation. But I couldn’t hold out much hope—it had been over two millennia, Ziyi must have reincarnated dozens of times. Even if she found him, would he recognize her? And could she find him with just that dragon-shaped blood mark?

Yet, humans are ruled by emotion. Without it, what meaning would the world have? If this could serve both Wan’er and Wang Ying, I was willing to help. I rushed to Wei Qi’s home to tell him Wan’er’s plan. He agreed it was a good idea.

That night, just the two of us, we quietly opened Wan’er’s grave. I had to admit, the Blood Amber was miraculous. Though Wan’er’s clothes had nearly rotted away, her body remained unchanged, as if peacefully asleep. With Wei Qi’s help, I carried her home.

At the door, Wei Qi stopped me and warned me to be careful not to get emotionally entangled. I shook my head, assuring him I wouldn’t. I loved Wang Ying, and Wan’er loved Ziyi—we were clear on where we stood.

“That’s good. Just remember, your fate isn’t to marry a ghost bride,” Wei Qi remarked with a smirk.

I shook my head again. I truly had no such thoughts—my heart was entirely occupied by Wang Ying.

With that, I brought Shangguan Wan’er’s body home. She immediately merged her soul with it, standing up and placing the Blood Amber on Wang Ying’s chest. Instantly, Wang Ying’s complexion improved visibly.

With her body now preserved, I felt a little relief, but anxiety lingered—her soul was still missing.

“Brother, there’s something I’d like to discuss,” Wan’er said, her merged form now solid and graceful as she walked over.

“Wan’er, we’ll be living under the same roof now. Whatever it is, just say it—no need for formalities.”

“Remember what I said before? I’m your sworn sister, and you’re my brother. Do you remember?” She looked up at me, her smile gentle and serene.

I managed a wry smile. “Of course. Don’t worry—I won’t be tempted by your beauty.” I didn’t want her to misunderstand.

“That’s good. You’re my brother, I’m your sister, and she’s my sister-in-law.” She gestured to Wang Ying on the bed.

I didn’t have the energy to argue about such trivial things. “It’s late. Let’s get some rest.”

Wan’er nodded and said the sofa would be fine. I helped tidy it up for her, and watched as she lay down. Then I lay, fully clothed, beside Wang Ying.

When the lights were off, the pale moonlight streamed through the window, falling softly on Wang Ying. Her face, bathed in that silvery glow, looked ethereal and pure. Staring at her beautiful features, my heart broke all over again. Where had her soul gone? Please, let it not be lost forever.

In the middle of the night, half-awake, I suddenly heard a startled cry outside. Jolted upright, I rushed into the courtyard and found Shangguan Wan’er standing there.

“What’s going on? Why are you out here at this hour?”

“Brother, I went to the bathroom, but I accidentally snagged my dress. I think I might have scraped my thigh too.” Wan’er stood there, looking aggrieved.

“Come inside—I’ll take a look.” Under the light, her dress was indeed torn, exposing the pale skin at her thigh. On the outer side, a cut ran along her leg. Even though her soul and body were joined, she couldn’t feel pain, but if left untreated, the wound could fester, harming both her body and her spirit.

“Wan’er, lift your dress so I can check.” I recalled how, last time, when Wang Ying’s back had been torn by a bra hook, I’d stitched it up with a sewing needle and smeared my blood to heal it.

I could do the same for Wan’er now, but she was a girl—a sworn sister from a time two thousand years ago, with old-fashioned notions. Would she be willing to let me stitch her thigh?